GREENVILLE – Veterans Day was celebrated in Downtown Greenville with a ceremony held in front of the Darke County Courthouse honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Despite bitter cold temperatures forcing the cancellation of the traditional parade, the ceremony went on as planned, beginning with a welcome and opening remarks from Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker, who thanked veterans and community members for braving the weather to show their support.
Dr. Joe LeMaster, U.S. Navy (Ret.), of Family of God Ministries and a longtime supporter of the Greenville NJROTC program, delivered the invocation. The Greenville Senior High School Marching Band performed the National Anthem as the American flag was raised, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the NJROTC.
The ceremony’s guest speaker, State Representative and Pastor Johnathan Newman, offered a stirring Veterans Day address honoring the sacrifice, service, and enduring spirit of America’s veterans.
Following the address, the event concluded with a three-volley rifle salute, Taps, and the Benediction. The public was then invited to a bean soup luncheon hosted by Greenville American Legion Post 140.
Hon. Johnathan Newman’s Veterans Day Address
“Those of you here with us today who have served our nation in the military, please know that we all honor you. We are thankful for you. We give tribute to you today because the greatness of the nation we love and the liberties we enjoy have been defended and upheld through your acts of sacrifice and service.
“And to those who have passed on from this life and are no longer with us, we give tribute and gratitude. The Bible says, “Give to all what is due…respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” So it is fitting that we do this today. We set aside this day to honor our veterans who have served this country we all love.
“The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says there have been 33 million total U.S. Military personnel who have served in wartime deployments from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror. And of course, millions more have served in peacetime. And what President Abraham Lincoln called “the last full measure” was paid by one million of those service members who gave their lives in those wars.
“The population of Ohio is nearly 12 million people; so that would mean every person living in Ohio now would have served in three wars, or multiply Ohio’s population times 3 – that’s how many military personnel have served in wartime deployments.
“Think now in your mind those veterans you know who hold a dear place in your heart. As I say the names of a few, please silently say the names of those you want to honor now.
- My father, Wilson Newman, Army – Okinawa
- Carl Miller, tank operator in WWII
- Berlus Jones, infantryman in WWII
- Denny Cantrell, Marine in Vietnam
- Jeff Helstad, Global War on Terror, Afghanistan
- David Spurlock, Global War on Terror, Iraq
- Craig Alread, Global War on Terror, Iraq
“Darke County is home to numerous veterans who have served our nation honorably throughout America’s 250 years, all of them worthy of the honor we hold in our hearts for them today. Darke County, its veterans, and its God-fearing, family-loving people represent the very best of our nation.
“In fact this county was named after a noteworthy Revolutionary War Officer, William Darke. William Darke recruited a company of volunteers for service in the Continental Army, then went on to serve courageously.
“He was thought highly of by General George Washington. He served with distinction, was wounded and held prisoner by the British, and was eventually released in a prisoner trade, later to be promoted to Lt. Colonel in the 4th Virginia Regiment. It is said that he was present for the surrender of the British at Yorktown. Because of his noteworthy service both in the Continental Army and following the war, when this area where we now stand was organized into a county in 1809, his name was bestowed on it – DARKE COUNTY. Since that time it seems as if the providence of God has caused the valor of William Darke to live on throughout the generations of Darke County families and in their sons and daughters who have served our beloved America.
“Earlier, I quoted how the Bible says, “Give to all what is due…respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” Above all others, most of all is owed to the LORD God because His is the Creator of life itself, the Maker of all things, and the One who gives eternal life in His Son Jesus. And He has also given us people who have lived their lives in service to our country, blessings to us all.
“We must let this blessing be a reminder to us all. In the darkest days when our nation has seen evil do its worst, we have also seen the blessings of Almighty God from above deliver us from evil in His amazing grace. Though we are sure to see more evil and vile darkness show its face, we can be confident that the words we sing in the Battle Hymn of the Republic are as true now as they were the day they were written in 1862 when it was the most widely sung of all Union songs during the Civil War:
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah!”
